David Gray joins the Dubai Jazz Festival line up

The 47-year-old British singer-songwriter will play on the second night of the festival, on February 25 (the same night as Chris Botti and Sting). The musician, who is also a talented guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player, has had incredible success – 21 years since his first studio album, he now has three UK number one albums under his belt. He’s known for placing his anguished vocals over computer-generated beats (you may also remember that he sang on Orbital’s 2001 hit Illuminate). While his career has definitely dampened since the release of 2000’s White Ladder, which he recorded in a bedroom studio, his 2014 album Mutineers is definitely worth a listen, the title track is rousing and introspective all at once:

Another of its tunes, Birds of the High Arctic, starts out sounding like whale song music and stays as haunting throughout – our pick of the album:

Overall, Mr Gray sounds more at peace with himself on this new album (which was the first of his works on which he wrote the lyrics before he tackled the melody). Meanwhile, we still can’t quite believe it’s been 15 years since his mega hits Babylon, Sail Away, PleaseForgive Me, The One I Love and This Year’s Love came out. Officially feeling old.

Dubai Jazz Festival runs from February 25 to February 26. Tickets are on sale now and cost from Dhs395 for regular standing to Dhs795 for golden circle, Dhs995 for fan pit and Dhs1,450 for VIP. For more information, visit www.dubaijazzfest.com.